Damascus - Sana
The Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade, Dr. “Mohammed Samer Al-Khalil,” the head of the Syrian-Iranian Joint Economic Committee, discussed on the Syrian side, and the Iranian Minister of Roads and Cities Building “Rustam Qassemi,” the head of the committee, on the other side.
The Iranian delegation and the delegation accompanying him will have ways of enhancing cooperation, economic relations and trade exchange, and activating the terms of the agreements signed between the two countries.
The two sides discussed the possibility of establishing joint free zones between the two countries and developing investment cooperation, as Minister “Al-Khalil” stated that Investment Law No. 18 of 2021 provides many advantages, tax exemptions and incentives, whether for direct investment from the private sector or in partnership with government agencies.
Minister Al-Khalil pointed to the need to increase the volume of trade exchange between the two countries regarding the import of Iranian agricultural machinery and the existence of a regular maritime line that shortens time and ensures the smooth flow of goods movement between Syria and Iran.
For his part, Minister Qassimi stressed the necessity of activating the terms of the agreements signed between the two countries to reach advanced stages in economic relations, pointing to an agreement to solve outstanding problems in front of strengthening cooperation and facilitating trade exchange and investment cooperation, in addition to agreeing to form a joint economic committee to follow up on economic cooperation affairs. And follow-up issues related to the establishment of an air freight line to export and transport goods between the two countries.
In a statement to the media after the meeting, Minister Al-Khalil referred to work during the coming period to activate the agreements and put them into practice, especially those related to customs duties and facilitating the entry of goods between the two countries.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Rania Ahmed and Iranian Ambassador to Damascus Mahdi Sobhani.
Manar Deeb and Helena Al Hindi